by K. C. Hilton
“Oh, Collin,” Betty purred, smiling that smile that Collin could never refuse. “One more story can’t hurt.”
“Yes please! I want to hear more,” Morgan exclaimed. Her eyes shone with laughter.
Collin couldn’t possibly refuse, despite the fact that he was at the receiving end of all the teasing. The two women he loved most in the world were enjoying themselves to no end. No matter the story that was told, it was a wonderful feeling to see them both happy. Even his father, who was still painting the side of the boat, looked like he was having a good time.
“Okay,” Collin announced, giving them all a big-hearted smile. “One more story.” He looked over at his Dad, his eyes pleading for help, but none was offered. “I don’t think I could handle much more embarrassment beyond that.”
George chuckled, not looking up from the fresh white paint he’d just spread. “Sucker,” he silently mouthed at Collin.
“You’re getting a kick out of this aren’t you, old man?” Collin growled.
George said nothing, but his eyes danced. He gazed at the ceiling, whistling a quirky little tune. He pretended he hadn’t heard Collin just so he could pester his son even more.
Betty reached over to the radio and slid in a CD, then pressed play. Romantic music flowed through the speakers and filled the room with words about someone hoping not to fall in love.
“What is it,” Collin asked with a smile, “about that song that makes you realize just how much you love the people that you love?”
“Have I ever told you the ‘Bucket’ story?” Betty asked Morgan, her voice smooth as liquid honey. Morgan shook her head and smiled with encouragement.
Chapter 7
God, she was beautiful. Every time Collin looked at Morgan he fell more in love with her. He was the luckiest man in the world. He watched her reactions while his mother told her another embarrassing story he’d heard a million times, and heard it brand new through Morgan’s ears. His heart melted a little more every time he looked at her.
Collin loved hearing his mother and father laugh. And hearing Morgan laugh with them was the most wonderful sound he could imagine. He could tell Morgan enjoyed teasing him as well, and smiled. He would never hear the end of it. The relentless teasing would begin before they were even married.
Just the thought of Morgan becoming his wife made Collin a happier man. He could put up with endless teasing just for that honor.
“Oh, Collin!” Betty suddenly exclaimed, clapping her hands. “You’re going to have such beautiful children!”
Morgan and Collin exchanged a startled glance, then Collin watched with fascination as Morgan turned a healthy shade of red. He wasn’t entirely surprised by his mother’s outburst. She was generally compelled to say things like that. It’s just that usually she waited until after Morgan had left.
“Morgan is so gorgeous and oh, such a wonderful girl,” she would say. “Charming, delightful, attractive … I couldn’t be any happier for you. You have made a wonderful choice, deciding to marry Morgan. You are both going to be so happy.” Then she’d turn to George, her eyes gleaming with happiness. “Isn’t that right, George?”
This was the first time she’d said anything like that with Morgan still around, but her outburst caused only the tiniest break in the conversation. Betty didn’t seem to sense any awkwardness at all. Collin stole a glance at his father, who was still pretending not to hear. But Collin saw his secret smile. He continued to paint, waiting to hear the outcome of this conversation.
“Yes, Mother. I completely agree with you on all counts,” Collin said, smiling at his mother. “But may I add a few of my own descriptions of Morgan?”
Betty narrowed her eyes, suspicious that Collin was up to something, then nodded when she realized there was no way on earth Collin would embarrass Morgan. She cocked her right eyebrow, warning her son to behave and be nice. “By all means Collin, I would love to hear your portrayal of your future wife.”
Morgan blushed ferociously, sensing the attention coming her way. She was used to this demonstrative family, though, and completely at home in the midst of them.
“Well,” Collin said, then cleared his throat. “We shall begin with the obvious. Morgan is a delicate five feet tall with long, gorgeous brown hair. She barely wears any makeup at all, because she doesn’t need any. She is naturally perfect.”
“So sweet of you,” Morgan said. “You can stop now.”
Collin gave Morgan a smile which clearly said “I love you” without the need for words. Then he shook his head. “I’m sorry, Morgan, but there’s more.”
She put her hands over her face, hiding, but giggling.
Collin continued, addressing his audience of three as formally as if he were speaking to a stadium full of people. “As you can see, Morgan is more than just stunning. She is breathtaking.” Collin glanced towards his mother, whose eyes were sparkling, her mouth slightly open as she took in her son’s words. He took his fiancée’s hand in his and returned his full concentration to Morgan, kissing the top of her hand before continuing. “Morgan moves me like no other woman ever has. She has taken over my mind and my soul.” Collin’s chest tightened, seeing Morgan’s beautiful eyes well up.
George stopped painting and glanced toward Betty and Collin. Betty dabbed at the corners of her eyes, sniffling at her son’s beautiful tribute. George smiled, watching his romantic wife. Based on the speech Collin had just made, it was obvious that he had inherited some of those traits from his mother. George was what Collin called a “closet romantic”. He’d never admit to enjoying those emotions, though he did feel them. George didn’t usually declare such feelings in front of anyone, except for when he was all alone with Betty. Collin and Joey knew all about it from the times Betty occasionally enlightened them, giving them her own version of the story. He figured his dad would be glad to know that he’d given her something to brag about.
Betty had taught her sons well. She often preached to them about loving a woman for more than just her outward appearance. She often told the boys that “the gem within a woman is the most precious jewel you will ever discover.”
All this romance had settled the mood into something resembling calm. Apparently George felt the need to put a stop to that. It was time to laugh again.
“Okay, Collin,” he said, waving his paint brush vaguely in Betty’s direction. “I’ve heard the romantic version of Morgan, which your mother would want to hear. Now give me the version a son would tell his father, a.k.a. me.” George smiled from ear to ear, waiting for Collin’s reply. Collin glanced nervously at Morgan, but she only giggled with encouragement.
“Well,” Collin said, then shot a tentative grin at George. He wasn’t quite sure what might be appropriate to say in front of his parents. Especially while Betty continued to murmur something along the lines of, “That’s my boy. Romantic at heart. I taught him well. Yes, I did.”
“I’m waiting,” George teased.
Collin cleared his throat, then smiled. He knew perfectly well that all his father wanted was for him to make his mother gasp. “Well,” he repeated, “I would probably tell a.k.a. you that my Morgan is not only adorable and gorgeous, but that she is also very passionate.”
“Passionate and adorable,” George repeated slowly, testing the feel of the words in his mouth. “Yeah. For sure. That’s what I would want in the bedroom. I gotta tell you, son, ‘passionate and adorable’ sounds like something out of one of those romance novels your mother is always reading.” He chuckled, then shook his head, looking sadly disappointed. “Tsk tsk, boy. You can do better than that.”
“George!” Betty cried, using her firmest, most disapproving tone.
“Come on. Have I ever called you passionate and adorable?” George raised both eyebrows, waiting for Betty to reply, but she only narrowed her eyes at him and said nothing. Her expression very clearly said that she wanted to strangle George. Her husband smiled smugly. “No. I thought not. I use more vivacious words to describ
e you, my love.”
Betty still said nothing, but continued to glare at him as if to warn him not to say another word. But George was having way too much fun. She knew she couldn’t stop him even if she tried.
“Well? On out with it, Collin! Let’s hear it. I haven’t got all day … well, actually, maybe I do. But that’s beside the point.”
Collin began again, trying desperately not to blush. “Morgan is … she is … ” He squinted, then glanced at Morgan, who was watching him with a wide-eyed grin.
“Well, all right, Dad,” he said, keeping his mischievous eyes on his fiancée. “But keep calm. I wouldn’t want you to have a coronary or anything.” Collin paused, stumbling to find the right words. In the end he decided to color it a bit, to lighten the mood, and did so by speaking with a strong British accent. “My Morgan is sexy, to say the least. And might I add that she is exceedingly erotic at the same time.” Morgan gasped and clapped her hands over her mouth again, but her eyes looked thrilled. “And, much to my delight, she is extremely … pleasing.” Collin took a deep breath, then looked his father straight in the face. “And she is the most flexible woman that I’ve ever met, if I do say so myself.”
Morgan and Betty gasped, looking momentarily shocked. Collin grinned from ear to ear, but Betty shot a furious look at him. Morgan’s laughter caught Betty off guard.
“Yes, you certainly may say so yourself,” George exclaimed, totally and completely approving. He adopted Betty’s chorus: “That’s my boy! I taught him well! Yes, I did!”
Chapter 8
Collin knew firsthand that his father, though he might have a great time teasing Betty about the cheesiness of being romantic, was one himself. One evening as Collin was on his way out onto the back patio to ask his mother a question, he stopped short when he heard the sound of soft music. Music on the patio was fairly common; however, this music was smoother than usual, with a lush sound that could be called nothing but romantic.
His parents listened to various types of music, both classic and current, but the song that was playing was one of their favorites. Collin had heard it played numerous times while he was growing up. Hearing some older man sing in a scratchy voice had never seemed romantic to Collin, but he had to admit that it flowed vibrantly through the speakers George had installed on the patio. His parents thought it was one the most romantic songs ever.
Collin peeked around the corner of the wall, curious. Most every evening his parents turned on the outdoor accent lighting, illuminating the pool and patio area with a dreamy effect. The result was both relaxing and picturesque.
Most nights the family ate on the patio, enjoying the beautiful evenings. George had become a grill master on the barbecue. Betty assembled the side dishes in the kitchen and brought them to the patio table just as George finished cooking on the grill. After dinner was finished and all the dishes were cleaned up, they usually each brought something outside that they could read.
On this evening, his mother sat quietly in her favorite reading chair near the outdoor fire pit, legs folded in front of her. His father walked towards her and stood a few steps away, his hand outstretched. “Shall we dance, my love?” he asked.
Betty, caught off guard by one of George’s rare spontaneous yet romantic moments, smiled up at her husband, her eyes glittering. She glanced back at her book and carefully placed a bookmark in the spot where she’d stopped, then set the book down on the side table. She placed her hand in his and slowly stood in front of him. They smiled at each other as if they were two teenagers at their first high school dance. Collin could swear his mother blushed. Then they took a few steps away from Betty’s chair and began to dance.
George and Betty swayed back and forth, holding each other close and giving every appearance that they didn’t have a care in the world. George placed his left arm at the base of Betty’s back and wrapped the other around the tops of her shoulders. He held her against his chest and rested his chin tenderly on the top of her head. Betty’s cheek pressed against George’s chest, her eyes were gently shut, and her lips were formed into the softest smile Collin could remember ever having seen. It was as if she were reminiscing about their days gone past.
Halfway through the song, George lifted his chin ever so slightly so that he could place a soft kiss on the top of Betty’s head. Betty’s arms squeezed a bit tighter around his waist, saying nothing, expressing so much.
Collin crossed his arms and leaned against the far wall, not wanting to disturb his parents, but too caught up in the moment to leave. Sometimes Collin thought his parents’ simple romantic gestures were a bit corny. In the past he had stumbled upon several little lovesick notes carrying different messages, like “I love you”, “I’ll miss you while you’re gone”, and so many more. Every time Collin found those little notes he couldn’t help but roll his eyes. It just seemed to him that his parents were too old to be all mushy and lovey-dovey.
Collin had always thought that “romance” was a term that could only be used when a man was wooing a woman, something a couple did while they were dating. Once a couple was married, the romance should naturally stop and a routine life begin. He assumed there would be no more need for romance or anything of the sort. Dating leads to marriage, marriage leads to children, having children leads to grandchildren and before you know it, life in general becomes busy and mundane. And if a person is lucky enough to fall in love with someone with whom he or she can coexist happily, then that is all there ever needed to be.
But in that moment, that very moment, witnessing his starry-eyed mother and chivalrous father holding each other with such compassion, he decided that this was the type of love that he would one day have for himself. That was the moment when Collin learned that nothing less would do.
Collin and Joey grew up in a happy home and had a wonderful childhood. As a family they enjoyed not only the playful, affectionate times, but also the occasions when there was no need to say a word to one another. Sometimes just knowing that they were together meant more than words could possibly say.
To Collin’s knowledge, his parents had never had an argument. Sure, they’d had a few disagreements, but he’d never seen or heard them yell or scream at each other. They believed, and taught their sons, that most disagreements could be sorted out by simply listening to each other’s opinions. And they were consistently interested in each other’s opinions. The pros and cons for each issue were discussed rationally, and with respect. Collin thought his parents were unusual in that way, since he’d witnessed a lot of relationships which weren’t nearly as open and understanding.
Collin vowed that he would have a marriage like the one his parents had. They always seemed happy, and always had something to talk about. It could be anything from the local news, books or something as trivial as a new game one of them found on the internet to play, but there was always something for them to share.
The only thing that could possibly make his parents any happier than they already were would be to have grandchildren. Although Collin and Joey had no immediate plans of having children, Collin knew that when they did, their children would be pampered and spoiled rotten - in a good way.
Collin listened to the song come to an end and watched his father place his fingertips on his mother’s cheek. She looked up at him as if there were no one else on earth but the two of them. George bent down slightly so he could give her a soft kiss on her lips. They held each other’s gaze for a moment longer, then they smiled.
All at once their romantic interlude was over and they were back to their playful selves. Betty grabbed George by the backside and growled something that sounded suspiciously like “hubba hubba!” while a sly little grin crossed her face. George grinned from ear to ear and whispered something into Betty’s ear. She giggled like a school girl.
Collin rolled his eyes. He and Joey had, for as long as he could remember, learned to endure their parents’ endless flirtations. It always felt odd, and a little uncomfortable, to witness their parents
flirting with one another. Not that they ever did anything that was inappropriate in any way. It was just that it seemed weird. Weren’t they too old to flirt?
Nevertheless, his parents were undeniably their own best friends. If something ever happened to one of them, the other would surely die of loneliness and a broken heart. He wasn’t even sure one could actually live without the other.
Chapter 9
May 2011
What’s that damn noise?
Collin lay in bed, rocking gently on his fishing boat, his mouth tasting like the inside of an old sock. Keeping his eyes squeezed safely shut against the possibility of bright sunshine, he stretched out one arm as he recognized the irritating beep of the alarm clock. His hand waved and fumbled around, trying to locate the snooze button, knocking over beer cans as he searched. Half a dozen cans crashed onto the floor next to his bed, then rolled around noisily while he continued to hunt for the snooze button.
Just ten more minutes. That’s all I need. Within moments, the sounds of the water had rocked him back into a deep, peaceful sleep.
“Are you going to get up today?” A voice called from above. It was Joey, waking Collin in the most annoying manner, as he did every day.
“Leave me alone,” Collin grumbled, curling an extra pillow tightly under his arms.
“The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and you’re still asleep at two in the afternoon!” Joey practically sang. He moved around as loudly as he could, banging boxes and pots, stomping heavily on deck.
Collin rolled over onto his back, arm slung over his eyes. “What day is it?” he managed.
“What day is it? It’s Mom’s and Dad’s anniversary,” Joey stated flatly. Collin heard his brother’s footsteps as they stepped off the boat.
Anniversary? What in the world was Joey talking about? Mom and Dad’s anniversary? Mom and Dad were married in June, and right now it was only the middle of May. Damn, Joey. Let me sleep!
